Back-band for harness



(No Model.)

J. A. FRETWELL. BACK BAND PoR HARNESS.

No. 602,003. Patented Apr. 5,1898.

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UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JOHN A. FRETWELL, OF- BUFORD, GEORGIA.

BACK-BAND FOR HARNESS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters'latent No. 602,003, dated April 5, 1898.

Application filed July 3, 1897x Serial No. 643,387. (No model.) i

full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

My invention relates to improvements in back-bands for harness, and more especially to back-bands for use with plow-harness'and the like.- Y

The principal object of my invention is to provide a back-band which will serve all the purposes for which such articlesare ordinarily intended and which will at the same time be so constructed as to do away with the liability of injury to the backbone or backof the animal upon which the improved backband may be used. l*

My invention will be understood by reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein the same parts are indicated by the same letters throughout both views.

Figure l represents a perspectiveview of a back-band constructed in accordance with my invention, and Fig. 2 represents a central longitudinal section through the same.

A represents a stout strap' of leather or heavy canvas, which is doubled upon itself in the construction of my back-band.

B and B represent a pair of wooden blocks having flat outer faces `b b and'rounded and preferably beveled inner faces b b', as seen most clearly in Fig. 2. Each of said blocks has a rectangular opening or slideway B0 therethrough for the passage of the strap A doubled, as seen in Fig. 2. 1

B2 B2, B3 B3, and B4 B4 represent pairs of blocks somewhat similar to the pair of blocks B B, but narrower than the latternamed blocks and decreasing -in`thickness from B2 to B4. Each of the saidy blocks B2 to B4 is provided with a rectangular opening or slideway therethrough corresponding to the openings B0 through the blocks B B, the said openings in each and every case being near the outer side of the blocks, as shown. There may be any number of these blocks, according to the length of the back-band, and the number A shown are merely for the sake of illustration.

C C represent two wooden plates or blocks cut away for the greater portion of their length upon their outer faces to form thin depending portions C C', upon theouter faces of which thin metallic plates C2 C2 are secured. These plates are to take up the wear on the thin portions of the blocks C C, as will hereinafter more fully appear. The thicker upper portions of the plates or blocks O C are provided with rectangular openings or slideways C C0 therethrough for the passage of strap A above referred to.

D D represent a pair of snap-hooks having eyes D0 D, through which the strap A passes.

The strap A is made with two ends, each l of which may be adjusted through a suitable buckle, such as A', with which the said strap is provided. This buckle'engages the ends of the strap A between the two blocks B B and keeps said blocks separated from each other a short distance, which will lordinarily correspond with the width ofthe backbone of the animal upon which the back-band is used. The said blocks B B will thus be so held upon the strap A that they will fit into the concavities upon the sides of the backbone of the animal, and, being suiiciently thick to prevent the strap A touching the backbone, injury to the latter is entirely avoided. The other blocks form bearing-surfaces for the back-band upon the back and sides of the horse, and their surfaces being rounded, as shown, there will be left spaces where the back-band does not touch the animal, and consequently there will be less heating of the animals skin than with the dat back-bands now ordinarily in use. Y

The snap-hooks D may be engaged in links of the chain traces ordinarily used and may be readily adjusted toward the forward or rear part of the horses body as desirable or circumstances require.

In order that the back-band may be made adjustable in length and yet maintain a uniform position for the blocks B B to B4 B4 relative to the backbone of the animal, the inner portion of the strap is secured to the blocks B4 B4 in any 'suitable manner, as by tacks or rivets b4 b4. (Seen in Fig. 2.) This will allow the ends of the straps to be adjusted to any IOO length desired Without causing the blocks to drop away from the upper portion of the strap and thus becoming displaced.

I-Iaving thus described my invention,what I claim, and desire .to secure by Letters Patent of the United States, is-

l. In a back-band for harness, the combination with a strap havingits ends folded upon itself and adj ustably connected together midway the length of the folded strap; of a plurality of rounded blocks provided with openings therethrough for the passage of said folded strap, fitted thereon upon each side of its middle portion; one of s'aid blocks on each side being secured to a stationary portion of said strap; and devices connected to the folded ends of said strap for attaching the same to a pair of traces, substantially as described.

2. In a back-band for harness, the combination with a strap having its ends folded upon itself and adj ustably connected together midway the length of the folded strap; of a plurality of blocks having rounded inner faces, provided with openings therethrough near the outer faces for the passage of said folded strap, fitted upon said folded strap upon each side of its middle portion;` one of said blocks on each side being secured to a stationary portion of said strap; the end block on each side having a thin lower extension thereon; (and devices connected to the folded ends of said strap, and hanging alongside of the extensions on saidend blocks, adapted to engage a pair of traces, substantially as described.

3. In a back-band for harness, the combination with a strap having an adjustable con- ;nection midway of its length;` of a plurality of rounded bloclrsprovided with openings therethrough for said strap, fitted thereon 

